Missing woman Sandra Pagniano found dead near Prescott

PUBLISHED Fri, May 26, 2017 - 6:17pm EDT

Sandra Pagniano and David Pagniano (Credit: Sheriff's office)

The body of Sandra Pagniano, a 39-year-old woman who was reported missing earlier this week, has been found buried just outside Prescott, according to Yavapai County deputies. Her estranged husband remains in custody. (more)

"Around noon today, the body of Sandra Pagniano was discovered buried in a remote area about 10 miles northwest of her home on N Yaqui Drive, outside of Prescott," said Dwight D’Evelyn, a spokesman for the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

There was no immediate word on the cause of Sandra's death and no further information is expected to be released until Saturday, but D’Evelyn thanked search and rescue volunteers who spent many hours this week in efforts to find her.

"The effort to locate her has been non-stop since her reported disappearance and involved deputies, a full contingent of detectives and some incredible search and rescue volunteers," the spokesman said. "Without the help of these selfless volunteers, the large search area would have been impossible to cover in such a short time frame."

Sandra's estranged husband, 55-year-old David Pagniano, was arrested on Wednesday morning for one count of 2nd Degree Murder after investigators found evidence that indicated Sandra had been the victim of a homicide, even though her body had yet to be found..

The investigation began last Sunday when a family friend reported Sandra missing and said they last saw her on Friday, May 19. They became concerned when Sandra failed to show up for a scheduled social event.

Sandra and David lived together in the 13000 block of N Yaqui Drive outside of Prescott, although they were separated. They have two young children, ages 8 and 12, who are safe and are currently under monitored care.

David remains in custody at the Camp Verde Detention Center on a $2 million bond.